In the realm of social media influencers, it’s not uncommon to find individuals straying into domains beyond their expertise, offering opinions on various topics ranging from geopolitics to health remedies. While in India, influencers often advocate “natural, organic solutions” for ailments without medical qualifications, China has taken a decisive step to regulate such behavior.
China has introduced a groundbreaking law that prohibits influencers from discussing “professional and serious subjects” without the requisite credentials and expertise. The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) has rolled out the “Regulations on the Accountability of Internet Content Creators for Professional Topics,” stipulating that influencers addressing areas like medicine, law, education, or finance must hold valid qualifications such as a university degree, professional license, or state-recognized certification in the respective field.
Under these regulations, content creators must furnish proof of their expertise, and online platforms are mandated to display disclaimers, attribute sources, and delete non-compliant posts. Violations of these rules could lead to penalties ranging from content removal to account suspensions and fines of up to 100,000 yuan (around $14,000), as detailed in the enforcement guidelines by the CAC.
This directive, unveiled on October 25 via the official CAC portal, aims to combat misinformation and uphold public trust in online content dissemination. While lauded for its stringent measures in safeguarding public interest and combating misinformation, the law has also sparked concerns over potential censorship and exclusion.
Critics have labeled the law as “Communist absurdity” and likened it to a “speech exam,” drawing parallels to censorship practices in North Korea. Major online platforms like Douyin (TikTok), Weibo, and Bilibili are now required to authenticate credentials before allowing content related to regulated topics.
Reports from tech outlet 36Kr suggest that as many as 90% of influencers specializing in health and finance could be impacted by China’s new regulations. Influencers looking to engage with “serious topics” are advised to collaborate with certified experts or transition to lifestyle content.
Platforms have already begun implementing verification systems, as confirmed by Sina Tech, a prominent Chinese internet and online media company. The CAC clarifies that these rules do not extend to general lifestyle, entertainment, or personal narrative content. For instance, a food vlogger reviewing street snacks is not subject to restrictions unless they falsely claim that the snacks possess cancer-curing properties.
Meanwhile, in India, where social media holds significant influence with over 500 million users, instances of influencers spreading misinformation have been on the rise. Notable cases include Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu defending unverified claims about cow urine’s medicinal properties and influencers propagating false information regarding COVID-19 transmission and remedies, underscoring the urgent need for fact-checking and accountability in the digital space.